How far do the sources suggest that Wolseys efforts to secure an annulment of the Kings marriage were half-hearted?

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Introduction

﻿Although sources 1-3 make suggestions towards Wolsey?s lack of effort in gaining an annulment for Henry, they all generally agree in the fact that his ability and determination to fill Henry with hope that he would succeed in obtaining the annulment showed that Wolsey made gaining the annulment his main priority which he tried to achieve whole heartedly. Firstly, sources 1 and 2 both agree that Wolsey was wasteful with the resources he had at his disposal and that he did not make an efficient use of not only this, but also his situation. Source 2 ??Wolsey has marvellous contacts? and ??yet has not made use of this?. It can be implied from this that Wolsey had the ability to obtain Henry?s annulment, but failed due to his lack of effort and half-hearted approach. ...read more.

Middle

It can also be suggested that as source 2 was written 2 years after source 1, Wolsey had failed to use his contacts efficiently which supports claims made in source 1. Despite this, Wolsey did successfully install hope in to Henry which shows he did not want to let Henry down. This is shown in source 3 ?Kindled the fire in Henry? and this quote itself is supported by source 1 ?Stafileo has changed his opinion? showing Wolsey?s power of manipulation, this time over Stafileo. It is clear that Wolsey had great confidence in his ability to give Henry hope and therefore was not half hearted in his attempts to achieve an annulment. Source 3 is taken from Edwards Hall?s Chronicle, 1948, and is quoting Catherine of Aragorn?s words to Wolsey. ...read more.

Conclusion

It can be implied from source 3 however that from the negative language present in source 3, that Wolsey upset and angered his opponents while trying to attain the annulment, rather than getting them on his side. Overall source 3 is the most supportive that Wolsey was not half hearted, as Catherine was clearly worried about how much influence Wolsey had and the determination he had to obtain the annulment. Source 1 is also very supportive of this as it shows him trying to change people?s views on the annulment and succeeding in the case of Stafileo. Therefore it is clear that although Wolsey may not have been very successful in obtaining an annulment, shown in source 2, he did not go about it half-heartedly. ...read more.

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